When I started high school, I was not in a very diverse environment or in a place where being from a low-income family was very common. The percentage of white Americans was about ten times higher than the percentage of the Hispanic/Latinx population. I never felt included in school events, I never felt represented in the school that I went to and that affected the way I saw myself. I never felt as if I belonged where I was. I didn't have many friends within the school either, because every time I tried to make friends I always felt less than. I felt like I didn't have enough and even the way I looked made me feel out of place. Everyone around me was going off to these prestigious schools, where they could afford to go to without paying a large sum of money for their tuition, while I was sitting in front of my computer wondering how I was going to afford to go to college. The school offered help with filling out the FAFSA form and I never took anyone's help for granted. I am thankful for any help that anyone offers but, I still needed resources to help me pay for college. These resources weren't as offered or glamorized because there wasn't a big necessity for them. I felt lost, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it to college. And even though I did, I still believe that, as a minority, it will continue to affect my path. The pay grade as a Hispanic woman is not the same as being a White man, and my identity will not change. My identity will remain the same and so will the discrimination because that's the world we live in today. And unfortunately, it's going to take a lot of change and advocacy to change these policies. I didn't grow up with a representation of Hispanic women having high-paid jobs, nor having them in big fields that require a college education. But I did grow up knowing that they are kind, strong, powerful women who are relentless and have ambition like no other. And even though, I didn't grow up being represented, I will make sure that I am one of the many future Hispanic women who serve as a representation for girls all around the world who need inspiration and motivation to keep dreaming.

Growing up, I've always been told: "You know if I had enough I would buy it, but there isn't enough for the things we want, only for the things we need." These words were the words my mother would say to me at age 7 and I hear them even now being spoken to my 9-year-old brother 11 years later. For as long as I remember I wanted to become a dentist, I didn't know why until recently. My first year of college was a year full of reflections. A year I'll never forget. I moved states and realized why my mother would constantly say no to the things I wanted as a kid. I understood that there are other priorities in life. My career aspirations were not a problem until I began to apply for colleges at the beginning of my senior year of high school. My degree was and still is expensive, but my parents and I have sacrificed enough to help accomplish my dream. My dream begins in first grade when my teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I was older. I remember my mother would always tell everyone that I wanted to be a dentist and give kids Goldfish on their way out. But my dream became even bigger once I became older. I realized that it wasn't just about what I wanted to do but the impact I wanted to leave behind. I understand and empathize those who cannot afford much. And I want to be the impact that leaves a smile on their face. My career will not only be something that I do professionally, but something that will change the way that others see my career. This dream continues into the middle of my first year of college, where I began to think of those who cannot afford healthcare. Recently, I've seen my mother worry about not having healthcare for her children and that made me realize that there are many people out there that have that same worry but cannot do anything about it because of a corrupt society. I want to take my career to underserved communities and countries without access to dental care. I want to give them the care that they deserve. Leave an impact on their lives, and be filled with joy as I do it. Eleven years later, I saw that same girl that was sitting in a Walmart parking lot, upset because she didn't get what she wanted, understanding that money will never be enough but the joy that comes from serving others with love and with the gifts that have been bestowed upon her will forever be enough to satisfy her.